I. | ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷|spektiv, -tēv also -təv adjective
Etymology: Latin retrospect us (past participle of retrospicere ) + English -ive
1. : contemplative of or relative to past events : characterized by, given to, or indulging in retrospection
a retrospective exhibit of an artist's work
after the decline of interest in nature ancient culture became introspective and retrospective — John Dewey
retrospective self-justification
retrospective octogenarian
2. : affecting things past : retroactive — compare ex post facto
3. of a view : that is in the direction of the rear (as of a house)
• ret·ro·spec·tive·ly -tə̇vlē, -li adverb
II. noun
( -s )
: a generally comprehensive exhibition showing the work of an artist over a span of years
the big retrospective of his works at the Museum of Modern Art — R.M.Coates
III. adjective
: relating to or being a study (as of a disease) that starts with the present condition of a population of individuals and collects data about their past history to explain their present condition — compare prospective herein